British speedway's first national museum is now fully open and operational . . . so why not do your bit to help preserve our sport's history with a visit to this wonderful creation in rural Hertfordshire.

Located within the grounds of Paradise Wildlife Park at Broxbourne, a major attraction in itself and owned by former Swindon and Hackney rider Pete Sampson, the Speedway Museum is a must for anyone who appreciates speedway¹s unique history.

There is something for everyone, from those who marvel at the early pioneers of the late 20s, through the post-war boom period, the swinging sixties, the colourful 70s and the interesting 80s and 90s, right up to the modern era of laydown machines.

Roll back the years as you breathe in the pure nostalgia the exudes from all the displays of machinery, old leathers, race jackets, programmes, photographs, posters and all kinds of other memorabilia.

It has all been made possible by a group of hard-working speedway enthusiasts, especially ex-West Ham rider George Barclay and his wife Linda who had worked tirelessly for two years touring tracks the length and breadth of the UK to promote the museum and collect donations from speedway supporters and numerous individual benefactors.

Their original target was to try and raise £55,000 to basically finance the building work. But thanks to their sheer drive and enthusiasm, and the response of the fans and the promoters who allowed them to collect at the tracks, they pulled in around £70,000 to ensure the dream became a reality when the museum opened to the public at the start of May 2007.

Terry Stone, who rode for Rayleigh Rockets in the early 70s, is one of the Speedway Museum organising committee who worked behind the scenes on the museum interior design.

"There are many other volunteers who we have to thank, and they know who they are," says George Barclay, "including the management and staff of Paradise Wildlife Park (PWP) and local building company M & M Welding, who are run by Rye House supporters. Although we're obviously delighted to have raised £70,000, the total cost of materials and construction at the site ­ land that Pete Sampson has given to the museum free of charge ­ would have exceeded £120,000 if the people at PWP and the builders had not kindly lowered their labour and material costs.

"But it is the speedway 'family', if you like, who we really have to thank the most, and the promoters who allowed us into their stadiums with our collection buckets. Only one track's management refused to co-operate, while it just wasn't possible for us to collect at two other venues, but by and large the help we received was brilliant.

"Speedway supporters know their stuff, they are tremendously loyal and passionate and they are very keen to preserve their sport¹s history. Apart from donations of money, we have also received many items for possible display in the museum, from ex-riders and fans, as well as old speedway magazines, programmes and books which we will sell to help bring in future revenues to fund the museum on an ongoing basis.

"The £70,000 we've collected so far has virtually been swallowed up already ­ in the cost of building the place and on insurance premiums we¹ve had to take out for personal liability and the museum exhibits."

A galaxy of speedway greats have come forward to offer their old bikes, other equipment and innumerable mementoes for display in the museum. These include current World No.1 Jason Crump, the Poole and Australian ace whose Jawa machine used to clinch the 2004 Speedway Grand Prix title will surely be one of the main attractions at the museum. A GM bike ridden by six times World Champion Tony Rickardsson ­ Crump's great rival before the Swede retired last year ­ is also there.

Another stunning centrepiece serves as a brilliant memorial to Peter Craven, the only Englishman to have won the World Final twice (in 1955 and 1962). A section displaying a model dummy of the former Belle Vue legend, leaning low from the side of a JAP bike in typically spectacular style, is certain to capture the visitors' imagination. This wonderfully nostalgic display includes trophies won by Craven as well as Great Britain race jackets worn by the popular, little racer who was tragically killed in a crash while racing at Edinburgh in September 1963 ­ just a year after winning his second world title.

"Peter's widow, Brenda Leat, has been right behind the Speedway Museum from day one," says Barclay. "She was delighted to give us her approval to use an action image of her late husband as the main part of our logo and she was here with us on the day the first building brick was in place. The mementoes Brenda has donated from her collection is just another magnificent gesture on her part ­ she wants the speedway public to remember Peter for the true great that he was. I'm sure many visitors to the museum will view these special items with a lump in their throat and, of course, they will recall great memories of a brilliant rider."

Speedway came to England in February 1928, when it is widely accepted that the first motorcycle 'dirt track' meeting was staged on an oval cinder circuit at High Beech in Epping Forest. With the sport¹s 80th anniversary celebrations set for 2008, the Speedway Museum will showcase machinery and memorabilia spanning every era ­ from the earliest Rudge and Douglas bikes ridden by the pioneers, to the modern-day, lightweight lay-down machines propelled by Crump and co.

Speaking before the opening ceremony, Dagenham-based Barclay, who also had spells racing for Sunderland, Rayleigh, Rye House and Crayford in the early 70s, added: "The support of the speedway public has been quite amazing. Whichever track Linda and I have visited in the last two years, the interest and enthusiasm for the project has been obvious, and now we¹re just pleased that it¹s become a reality after all the many hours of hard work that have gone into the project."

WHERE IT'S ATThe Speedway Museum and Paradise Wildlife Park are situated a short distance from the M25 motorway, some 10 minutes drive from Rye House Speedway.

Due to roadworks on the M25 you are now unable to leave at Junction 25 if you are travelling anti-clockwise. If you are travelling anti-clockwise on the M25 you can leave at Junction 26 and travel along the A121 to bypass Waltham Abbey Town Centre. At the end of the A121 you will find yourself at a T-junction (McDonald's is on your left), turn left here and follow the signs to Waltham Cross. Go straight over the first roundabout into Monarch¹s Way/High Street until the next roundabout where you turn left into Winston Churchill Way. At the next roundabout turn right along the A10 and follow the brown tourist signs to Paradise Wildlife Park.

If you are travelling clockwise on the M25 there is no change, as you can still leave at Junction 25 and follow the brown tourist signs to Paradise Wildlife Park as usual.

OPENING TIMESThe Speedway Museum operates to the same opening hours as PWP ­ 9.30am to 6.00pm, seven days a week from March until October 31.

If you are in any doubt about opening times, you can phone the Speedway Museum during day-time hours on 01992 469 555.ADMISSIONAdmission prices to PWP are: Adults £12, Children/Senior Citizens £9 each. Family Tickets offering a discount are also available. There is no extra charge to enter the museum.

SPEEDWAY MUSEUM MERCHANDISETo raise funds to pay for the ongoing running of the museum, you can purchase a range of sweatshirts, fleeces (as modelled here by Michael Lee, below right) and polo shirts (worn here by Jason Crump, left) in a variety of colours and sizes and all featuring the distinctive Peter Craven embroidered logo. These make ideal gifts for birthdays and Christmas and are on sale at the museum.